What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOrchis Mascula Flower Extract
SoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Extract
PerfumingCucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract
AstringentEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingCoffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Diheptyl Succinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Orchis Mascula Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Amyl Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Eugenol, Hydroxycitronellal
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate